reformation

• the hierarchy of the catholic church:

  • pope --> cardinal --> archbishop --> bishop --> priest (celibate)
  • deacons --> caity (the people)
• causes of reformation:

  • corruption (selling indulgences)
  • lack of transparency --> bible printing
  • martin luther's 95 theses (things wrong with the church)
  • printing press (spread martin luther's theses)
• the overall message of the reformation was that the church has strayed, will not reform on its own, and needs dramatic change
• impact of reformation:

  • increased literacy (esp women)
  • conflict/war (splits church)
  • catholic counterreformation (some changes to minimize impact)
  • secularization of europe
  • weakened church power
  • more efforts at conversion to gain power
• the diet (assembly) of worms in 1621 called martin luther to answer charges of heresy against the holy roman empire. he refused to recant and was placed on house arrest
• catholics thought salvation was available through sacraments, luther/protestants said faith is avenue to salvation
• catholics thought religious law and ceremony were vital for salvation, protestants emphasized faith over works
• catholics emphasized papal authority and limited bible access, protestants thought the bible should be accessible
• catholics wanted following of papacy/clergy, protestants thought leadership was corrupt and they ignored God's word
• catholics said don't question the pope and reform must be from within, protestants said the church wouldn't reform on its own
• the reformation impacted everyday life. education expanded, the distinction between clergy/laity narrowed, and women's literacy increased
• the reformation impacted politics. it created dynastic rivalries, internal conflicts, and religious wars
• the reformation caused the secularization of europe. in the short tern, religion moved to the forefront of europe and the church was strengthened. in the long tern, competing faiths weakened churches and distorted religion
• the inquisition was a church court that tried to root out heresies during the middle ages
• during the inquisition, protestants and people with opposite opinions were tortured
• the inquisition prevented the spread of protestant ideas and published the Index (a list of forbidden books)
• the reformation grew individual emphasis by emphasizing individual bible interpretation
• the reformation enriched merchants because german merchants resented Church wealth
• the reformation decreased feudalism and increased king power because rulers defied the pope to become protestant
• the reformation was impacted by the printing press and learning because luther's 95 theses were spread and the bible became vernacular and accessible
• the reformation empowered middle class in europe
• the reformation did not increase freedom for women